Join the fun near Fort Loudon. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Fort Loudon. Find the best campgrounds near Fort Loudon, PA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
Cowans Gap State Park is a diverse landscape nestled within the scenic Allens Valley of Fulton County. Campers come to enjoy the park’s 1,085 acres which offer a large lake, a full-size campground, provincial lodges, and many climbing trails throughout. Aside from the attractions, Buchanan State Forest encompasses the park, offering up fun and beauty regardless of the season. Open every day of the year, the park is a great place to visit for day-trip recreation. That said, if planning to camp here you’ll want to prepare in advance as campsite availability changes by the season.
One of the unique offerings that Cowans Gap features is a number of environmental educational programs for the local public. These programs serve to help the pubic, especially the youth, foster a sense of responsibility for the nature that surrounds them every day. There are guided walks, hands-on activities, and even evening programs for those up to it.
Aside from the educational opportunities, Cowans Gap is also right in the center of over 71,000+ acres of protected land thanks to Buchanan State Forest. There are 19 tracts of forest which occupy the acreage, showcasing numerous ravines, gulches, and brooks as well as groves of pine, hemlock, and maple.
Subsequently, this wild and rugged backdrop attracts hikers, campers, fishers, and outdoor enthusiasts from all over. A number of state game lands located nearby are also popular visiting places for season hunters looking to bag an elk or other large game.
Within the campground itself, there’s a variety of fun activities to get in on. During the winter, the park lake freezes making it perfect for ice-fishing and other winter fun. There’s also a maintained skating rink, so you can even come and ice-skate or play a quick game of hockey.
It’s during the warmer months however that Cowans Gap state park really starts to shine. Once the lake unfreezes, campers flock for kayaking, canoeing, and pedal boating. The campground itself starts to bustle as children and families visit the local volleyball courts, and check out the nearby trails on Horseback. The lake offers a sandy beach area to recreate, as well as a pier for fishers to get easier access to deep water.
Campsites are fully serviced here, and spacious enough to accommodate most families. There are restrooms available throughout the park, and a full-service concession stand for firewood and other conveniences. There are also cabins available for rental, but like most parks be sure to plan ahead as they tend to fill up quick.
$29 / night
At this KOA, you can take a lazy canoe ride under a bright canopy of leaves. There's great fishing in the creek too! Meander along winding paths through extensive, lush rock gardens. Relax in the gazebo surrounded by flowers and herbs. Enjoy mini golf, a playground, an outdoor theater, game room, swimming pool and oversized chess and checkers. Participate in themed weekends during the summer. Check out the Haunted House in October, a chilling experience. On weekends, stop by KOA's nostalgic Remember When Diner. Enjoy hamburgers and fries, pizza or a crab cake dinner, as well as a full breakfast menu. Indulge in the soda fountain's old-fashioned malts, shakes and floats. With this KOA as your home base, visit Antietam, Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry battlegrounds. It's a great place for Scouts, church groups and family reunions.
Rocky Gap State Park is located in Western Maryland’s Allegany County. The park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for visitors to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park. The 243-acre Lake Habeeb is known for having the "bluest water in the state." The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds its way through an impressive mile-long gorge, displaying sheer cliffs, overlooks and a hemlock forest dense with rhododendron and mountain laurel. Overlooking the lake is Evitts Mountain, named for one of the first European settlers in Allegany County.
Rocky Gap Campground offers 278 individual campsites (including 30 equipped with 30 amp electric hook-ups, mini cabin and yurt Options), a family group site and two youth group camping areas. The campground also features a dump station, bathhouses with hot water in each loop, the Scales & Tales Aviary, canoe/kayak/SUP board rentals (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), a nature center, a private swimming beach, a playground, trail access, Snack Shack and a camp store. Pets are allowed in Camp Loops Ash, Birch, Chestnut, Dogwood and Elm (Sites 1- 143). Alcohol is only permitted inside personal motor homes. Check-in for campsites is 3 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m.
The family group site offers space for up to 40 people to camp together. The group site includes a two-story mini cabin with electric, as well as six 30 amp electric hookups and a group fire ring. Bathhouses are located in the adjacent camp loops.
The two youth group areas are for use by valid youth groups only. Please see http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/youthgroup.aspx for more information.
RockyGap_Yurt.pngMini Cabins and Yurts There are 15 mini cabins located throughout the campground. They sleep either four or six people. The yurt accommodates 8 people and has an adjoining camp pad to increase the total site capacity to 15 people. Each has electricity (no water) and beds. Users must provide their own linens. Air conditioning and heat are not available. Check-in for mini cabins and the yurt is 3 p.m. and check-out is 12 p.m.
Easter Hill Chalet Exterior of the Easter Hill ChaletThe Easter Hill Chalet accommodates up to eight people. A completely furnished kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, wrap-around deck, gas fireplaces, outdoor campfire area and grill make this an enjoyable vacation spot. Chalet guests must provide their own linens, towels, bedding, pillows and soaps. The chalet is located in a forested, private area of the park, overlooking the lake. The Chalet requires a 2-night minimum stay. Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend require a 3-night holiday stay (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is 10 a.m. The address for the Chalet is 13300 Pleasant Valley Road, Flintstone MD 21530. Reservations are available April-December. Make reservations online at https://parkreservations.maryland.gov or call the reservation center at 1-888-432-2267. TTY users call 1-866-804-7846.
$23 - $29 / night
$21 - $65 / night
Located along Maryland’s western scenic foothills, Yogi Bear Campground MD, offers an unforgettable camping experience the whole family will enjoy. Situated just down the road from historic landmarks such as the Antietam National Battlefield and breathtaking scenery along the Appalachian Trail, Jellystone Park™ Williamsport is the perfect “home-base” for those wanting to explore the area. When our campers aren’t busy swimming and splashing at Yogi Bear’s Water Zone, zooming down our 400-foot water slides or testing their skills at the ninja course, they can enjoy our 18-hole mini golf course, jumping pillow, lazer tag, and so much more!
$99 - $471 / night
Seven Points Recreation area, located in the central region of Raystown Lake, is perfectly situated for outdoor recreation. Within a short walk from every campsite, visitors can find everything from interpretive trails to a visitor center. Plus there's easy access to swimming, boating, fishing hiking, and biking. For more detailed maps and information on the Seven Points Recreation area visit our website.__
Boating is always popular at Raystown, but there's more than just boating. Fishing for muskies, small and large mouth bass, brown trout, and many other Pennsylvania species is excellent. Every summer weekend there are education and entertainment programs at the amphitheater. The Greenside Pathway, a recycled rubber tire hiking trail, provides a safe walking route that connects the campgrounds to all of the recreational facilities within Seven Points; and world class mountain biking is available on the Allegrippis Trails and mountain biking skills park near the Visitors Center. Other nearby trails include the Lower Trail (Rails to Trails), the Terrace Mountain Trail, the Old Loggers Trail, and the Mid State Trail.
Boating is always popular at Raystown, but there's more than just boating. Fishing for muskies, small and large mouth bass, brown trout, and many other Pennsylvania species is excellent. Every summer weekend there are education and entertainment programs at the amphitheater. The Greenside Pathway, a recycled rubber tire hiking trail, provides a safe walking route that connects the campgrounds to all of the recreational facilities within Seven Points; and world class mountain biking is available on the Allegrippis Trails and mountain biking skills park near the Visitors Center. Other nearby trails include the Lower Trail (Rails to Trails), the Terrace Mountain Trail, the Old Loggers Trail, and the Mid State Trail.
Raystown Lake is located within the ridge and valley province of Pennsylvania. The lakeshore is lined with an old oak-hickory forest giving way to mountain ridges and cliffs. The man-made lake is fed by the Raystown Branch tributary of the Juniata River and is the largest lake completely in the state of Pennsylvania. Recreation season temperatures range from the 60s to 90s, with three to four inches of rain per month. The nights are cool and the days are pleasant through spring and fall.
Campers can take day trips to the Lincoln Caverns, Altoona Railroaders Museum, Swigart Antique Car Museum, or other nearby attractions. Visit www.raystown.org for local attractions and activities. The nearby city of Huntingdon, 11 miles north, is a good place for restaurants, shopping, and theaters.
$30 - $200 / night
Located just 3 miles West of the center of town, our Gettysburg Campground is bordered by beautiful Marsh Creek, with both shady or sunny RV sites, and a primitive tent area along the creek. We offer 260 sites, accommodating everything from a tent to literally any size RV. Gettysburg Campground is also the only campground in Gettysburg with an on-site RV repair facility. We also have rustic cabins and full-facility cottages
$23 - $29 / night
We welcome tent & RV camping with 30 and 50-amp hookups including pull-through, shaded, and field sites. We have overnight, seasonal, and extended-stay (available year-round) camping available. We are open April-October for overnight and seasonal camping. Our extended stay sites are open year-round. Limited service overnight camping may be available in the off-season, call for details.
$38 - $43 / night
The Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA is a fantastic vacation destination spot that's perfect for the whole family. Thanks to you, this year we received the 2016 KOA PRESIDENT'S AWARD. That means our campground facilities and camper satisfaction scores are some of the best around. We are making things even better in 2017! Our Specialty Coffee and Wine Store, GRAPES & GRINDS, has been a popular place for morning specialty coffees and afternoon wine tastings. Check our deluxe cabins with bathrooms and some with kitchens too! As always, our jumping pillow and giant inflatable are a hit with the kids.
And, as always, we still have all of the fun stuff you've come to love about our campground, like our junior Olympic Swimming Pool, Indoor and Outdoor Basketball Courts, Volleyball, Horseshoes, Game Room, Bark Zone Dog Park, and all-you-can-eat pancakes in season. So make your plans now to come and make some history all your own. See you soon!
$40 - $80 / night
We've stayed here at least a half-dozen times with a popup. The smaller B loop is nicer, but no electricity. Pets allowed only on a certain portion of the A loop. The bathrooms are clean, the lake is small but pretty, and the hikes around the lake, and up the mountain on the ridge, are as easy or as challenging as you want. Cell service is pretty much nonexistent so you definitely get unplugged.
The campground is adjacent to a very large, very busy train yard. It’s not bothered me but you should be aware.
The campground is also right on the Potomac, easy to get to, reasonably priced, and the sites are spacious. The loops are small, each containing a dozen or fewer spaces. Many sites share a power pole and water faucet, but they are well situated.
There is a small camp store, but the campground is convenient to ample grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants as well as many local historic attractions.
Busiest train corridor I’ve ever experienced, with several every hour all night. To add to the noise, there is a one-way tunnel a few feet from the campground. The practice is for cars to stop, blow their horn to announce their presence, then proceed into the tunnel.
I have a 14’ trailer, and it wouldn’t fit into my site perpendicular to the road. I had to pull past then back in so that I was parallel to the road. Ordinarily no big deal, except that the road isn’t a loop. It’s a single lane straight road in. No place to turn around, no way out except to back all the way out.
We stayed in the smaller camping area B, which we enjoyed. Even on Labor Day weekend, it didn’t feel busy because of how few sites are in this section. Our site was level and sizable. The bathroom was clean and there was access to the very pleasant hiking trail going around the lake. We had no cell service with Cricket or Verizon.
Great location, amazing amenities(huge pool, game room, snack bar, camp store, coffee shop etc.), and friendly employees, but these are where the positives end. I've never stayed at a KOA/campground where the sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair.
The Historic trench section is nice in the trees, but the roads are crumbling and too small for most RV's. If the person across from your site is already parked, good luck having enough room to back into your site. Our site was so unlevel that I was not able to get the RV leveled the entire weekend. Looking at the surrounding sites most campers were jacked high on blocks or sloping significantly. The section of sites were on a curve/semi-circle, which caused the site beside ours to be even smaller. We had to move our picnic table to give space for this person to back his camper on the site. They were unable to get even close to level so they didn't put out their slide. There is a new section to the campground out in the open whose sites are more level, but they are even closer together than the section we stayed in.
In addition to the poor sites, little enforcement was done regarding monitoring the number of people on the sites and the partying going on. A nearby site had 15+ people on Friday night partying and carrying on until 1:30AM until a fight broke out. They had a boombox on the bumper of the camper and blasted music all evening. After hours any vehicle can enter the campground as there is no gate. Cars/trucks pulled up to the party sites, who just drove in to party. I know calls were made to the office as neighboring campers stated to us. On Saturday night, the group wasn't quite as rambunctious, due to a visible presence of staff driving by, but with a campground this size, regular monitoring and shutting down of quiet hour violators should occur pre-actively. Harpers Ferry KOA could be so much more if they would invest in site upgrades and rule monitoring. We will not return.
We really enjoyed our stay here. Sites, amenities, and bathrooms/ showers were all clean and well kept. Staff was always friendly and accommodating (we even extended our stay and while our first site was booked they found us a near by site that was open). No problems with hook ups or dump station.
This is one of our favorite campground that we visit often. We love that the campground has their own beach so it’s not over crowded with the public. Near the beach there is a nice playground near shade for parents to watch. I really like that there are trails from the camp loops to the beach. The bathhouses are always clean and well stocked. The camp sites are tucked into the woods with plenty of room for camping.
non - refundable deposit Beware do not stay here read the reviews
Spent a weekend at Gettysburg. We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded. Literally right outside the entrance of the campgrounds is where the battlefield starts. So close to history. We have been to Gettysburg before, but going with the kids again being older, we all had a greater appreciation of the sacrifice of this 3-day battle. We did Park Ranger tours to learn about the 1st shot and how the war started to stand in the footsteps of General Buford at Senitary Ridge in the cupola overseeing the battlefield. Later in the day we took a horse carriage ride through the battlefields, Picketts Charge and the peach orchard with a private guide to learn every ounce of the battlefield and the major players to learn about the 3 days of fighting that took place to how the civilians of Gettysburg were impacted. The three day battle claimed over 50,000 lives and we toured the town of Gettysburg to learn how the community had to deal with the aftermath of the masses who perished, the smell which went on for over 30 miles and limited resources such as clean water. It's amazing to see how history was so preserved but right across the street from battlefields where so many died stands fast food restaurants, and hotels. A little surreal. Would definitely recommend a ride out to Gettysburg and this campground, which is right next to the battlefields. Clean facilities. If you are into horses, this is the place for you! Though sites are not very private, everyone is very respectful, and you are not on top of each other. Quiet hours are observed, which is nice too. Store has a great variety of souviners, treats, and emergency camping items. You can't get any closer to history than here. Would definitely recommend if you are looking to visit Gettysburg.
Our first time at Cowans Gap and we loved it. 5 nights, 6 days with no cell or wifi to stress us out. Biking, Hiking, sitting around a campfire, very nice. Site 14 was ok, small. Weekend kids were noisy. Bathrooms and showers very clean. Firewood always available. Easy access to dump station. Coming back in July to a site we scout out. Looking forward to our next visit.
Nice pull through site for out 21ft popup. Site was pretty level. Pool , mini golf and live music were great. Also amazing location to the battlefield and all the tourist attractions. My family and I will be coming back again for another stay.
The drive in was exciting. Lots of sheepish hills and turns. As long as you go slow, you'll be fine. Leaving on the other hand was terrifying. Being the down hill version of the drive in.
A note on cell service. There is none. NONE. No AT&T, no Verizon, no TMoblie. They campground doesn't have WiFi either.
If you were planning on going out to do stuff off the state park, there's nothing nearby.
We brought our kayaks and had a nice day paddling around the lake.
We loved the swimming and fishing in this park. Awesome Sandy swim beach and roped off area in the water made it great for keeping an eye on the kids while they swam. We had site 59 and are tent campers. This site was on an incline so the cots we brought were pretty miserable to sleep on. This spot was in its own little wooded cubby hole so it gave us a little more privacy but we thought that a lot of these sites were much too close together. We plan to scope out other sites to find a more level and more private option. Overall we really loved the park itself and will be back!
I have been here twice, the hiking is great and there is a National Park right next door, the location of Camp David. Great weekend.
Stayed here for Labor Day weekend and had a great time. Clean, well-maintained camp sites, well-stocked and friendly service at the camp store. My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids, because the roped-in part of the swimming lake only gets a few feet deep so you don't have to worry too much about them getting in over their heads. Bathroom and shower facilities were fine, and had a big sink you could use for cleaning/dishwashing.
The only downsides for us were that the campsites were relatively small, and close together. A couple campsites down from us was a big group that stayed up late socializing one night and we could hear them very clearly from our tent. And, while the swimming lake is great, it is crowded and you have to drive from the campsite to it (note that you do not need to wait in the long line of cars in the general public trying to get in, we just drove past them and showed the guard our camping receipt confirmation and got waved right through), and the parking fills up pretty early in the morning so you could end up without a spot. Similarly, the hike to the falls was a little crowded and underwhelming -- you also have to drive to that and park, and parking at the trailhead is very limited.
The bottom line for us was that it's crowded enough that you do not really feel like you are out "in nature," but, especially with small kids, all the amenities and recreation make up for it.
RV spaces were a little tight for a campfire but staff were great, bathrooms clean and nice food amenities
Booked for 5 nights to have an opportunity to explore the Bedford, PA area. Great access to Flight 93 Memorial, local covered bridges, Fort Bedford Historic Fort, and many other attractions. Loop D was quiet with ample space between sites that provided privacy. Bathhouse was clean and used for showers. Dump and water fill station easy to access on your way in or out. Verizon signal good enough for streaming.
This campground is a great place for families. Everything from a waterpark, to a lazy river, adult pool, playgrounds, hay rides, activity center, volleyball, hiking trails, and a store are available. The sites are level, but full sun. Full hookups.
We do a lot of dispersed camping but we spoiled ourselves with this spot. It was $50 for a tent site but I have never used a cleaner camp shower or seen so many amenities on a campground. They were also very accommodating of our late check-in as we travel across the country.
Nice place and no connection so make sure you have a photo of the park map before you get there.
The site I had was definitely smaller than I expected but it still worked. Make sure to double check that before you book.
Camp was relatively quiet. There was the occasional dog barking or kids playing but that is generally expected with a high number of campsites. The privacy of our site was pretty good and we had nice shade.
The bathrooms were relatively clean and accommodating.
Overall nice place, quiet and friendly campers and staff!
Waterpark- awesome and really makes the whole park. Lazy river is so fun and our 6 year old did the tunnel waterslides like 100 times. Very clean and well run even if crowded. Mini golf- very nice and included in price. The jumping pillow and playgrounds were also good and there was a lively game of kickball being played in the evening. The pull through sites closest to the pool and jumping pillow are by far the best. We stayed on Bear Trail and had the whole place to ourselves, which was awesome, but the sites are not real level or spaced out, so we just got lucky. The whole place is festive and kind of feels like a theme park- magical for kids. We enjoyed it.
We visited here again in June and loved it just as much as past visits. Our site 27 was very tight and narrow, but pretty level as were most of the sites I saw. We had an RV and a tent on it. We could still use the fire pit though. Our relatives were in site 28 which was incredibly large with lots of extra space for corn hole. Our friends were in site 29 which had good space as well. Our favorite site is 15, a pull through, but that’s hard to get. This time we walked the trail around Lake Habib which was 5.3 miles. We stopped at the hotel/casino for a drink about half way around. The beach area there was not too crowded. The campground has their own swim beach with a great playground, nature center, and camp store. Locally, we went into Cumberland which is about a 10-15 min drive and tasted the wines at Charis winery. The Cumberland Railroad museum was open for its last day ever. It’s closing down. There is a brewery and the C&O canal towpath there as well. Weather was perfect with mild temps and a cool breeze.
With all the dogs and kids here we were surprised how quiet it was! Our camp neighbors were super friendly. Check in was 0 hassle. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that the wifi is unusable and the campsites are very tight. We weren’t able to set up the pen for our dogs because there’s no room.
Great setup location. Easy in and out, full utilities. Separate tenting area near bathrooms Water is easy access, pool is heated. Rates are reasonable, store is basic Come here every year, worth the trip.
One of the best campgrounds I have stayed at so far the pond is nice and has a 1/2 mile walking path around it with trees and beaches to stop and sit dog park is big and has a place for small or large dogs there is 3 play grounds all different and all well kept
What a great “new” to us campground! Sites were spaced nicely. Our site was pretty level. We had room to park 2 trucks and still have space for table and fire pit. Area A is larger than area B and sites 1-30 are on the two way road in and out. We were in sites 81 and 83. We backed up to the woods and a small creek. The view was beautiful! The lake had a 1.5 mile trail that was level and easy to walk. The beach area looked nice. There is a snack bar and sketchy wifi. The camp site area had NO cell or wifi service at all. They had a program each night for star watching and a full moon walk. There were other hiking trails with gorgeous overlooks. True park has boat rentals for the lake. The bath house near us was just toilets. The shower house was further away. You could walk it but it’s a hike and there are hills.
I have stayed at this park many times over the years and it is always clean and well-maintained. This park is suitable for winter camping as well with fully functional bathhouses throughout the wintertime. The park has a lake and store along the beachfront area. This property is also part of the Rocky Gap Resort which has golf and a casino.
Camping near Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Fort Loudon, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Fort Loudon, PA is Cowans Gap State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 39 glamping camping locations near Fort Loudon, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
